Real Estate in Dubai – Overview Course

Course Summary

This course provides a structured legal overview of real estate ownership, development, and dispute resolution in Dubai. It introduces the statutory framework governing property rights under the UAE Civil Code and Dubai-specific real estate legislation, with particular emphasis on the role of the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA).

Participants will examine the principal forms of property rights in Dubai, including freehold, leasehold, usufruct, and musataha, as well as the legal position of foreign individuals and companies acquiring real estate interests. The course also outlines the key documents and regulatory requirements involved in property transactions, including title registration, sale and purchase agreements, escrow accounts, and mortgage registration.

Using practical case studies, the course analyses stalled and cancelled developments, highlighting issues such as escrow compliance, insolvency, regulatory intervention, and investor protection. It also reviews common project structures used in Dubai real estate developments, including joint ventures, special purpose vehicles, and joint development arrangements.

The course concludes with an overview of dispute resolution mechanisms applicable to Dubai real estate, distinguishing between ownership, off-plan, and rental disputes, and explaining the respective roles of RERA, Dubai Courts, arbitration, the Special Judicial Committee under Decree No. (33) of 2020, and the Rental Dispute Center (RDC).

This course is designed to equip legal professionals with a practical understanding of Dubai’s real estate legal and regulatory environment.